The ranking is the basis for a decision that is to be made on February 11 regarding the composition of the equity indices. In addition to the data regarding stock-exchange turnover and market capitalization, the list also includes an overview of the companies' classification in classic sectors or technology sectors. The new index composition will go into effect on March 24, 2003.
The index family is based on the division of the German equity market into two segments, Prime Standard and General Standard. To date, some 370 companies have already been admitted to Prime Standard.
The selection indices only include companies that meet the higher transparency standards of the Prime Standard segment. The DAX will continue to contain the shares of the 30 German blue chip companies. For companies ranked below the DAX, Deutsche Börse distinguishes between classic sectors and technology sectors. For the classic sectors, it calculates the MDAX, which is being reduced to 50 companies. The SDAX will continue to comprise 50 companies as the selection index for smaller companies ranked immediately below the MDAX. For the technology companies, there will be a new index, the TecDAX, which will track the 30 blue chips in this segment. The Nemax 50 will continue to be calculated in parallel, probably until the end of 2004, in order to maintain continuity in the financial products based on this index. All selection indices below the DAX will be open for the inclusion of foreign companies.
